2020
“Say It Again: Rejoice”
The Book of Philippians is a wonderful testament of the power of joy in one’s heart, no matter what the circumstance is. The Apostle Paul wrote Philippians (from prison mind you) while he was experiencing a joy that comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a joy that I believe the world desires, but as you and I know, a joy they cannot obtain on their own.
One of my favorite passages from Scripture is Philippians 4:4-7, and it begins with Paul proclaiming “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: Rejoice!” I think we can all agree that there is added significance when the same idea (joy, in this case) is repeated within the same verse. I can just hear Paul passionately explaining this verse to those around him, “Have this God given joy in your heart right now, there is plenty of it, and it is free!”
I share this with you because after almost seven months we have now been able to come on Sunday mornings in person to worship together – masks and all! And I know I have – and I sense others have too, experienced this wonderful joy that Paul all but commands us to have as we have come close in worship once again. It has been a true Joy to see you again, to greet you again, and to worship with you again. So let me repeat, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again Rejoice!”
Scott Kaak
First Impressions Minister
2020
Perhaps the Wait is Over
It has been a long wait, but we now have a tentative plan to open for Sunday morning worship on October 19, 2020. Perhaps the wait is over!
So, who really likes to wait on things these days? I mean, we live in a culture where getting things fast is not only the norm, it is the expectation. From our food, to our clothes, to our cash, we like to have it right away. And yet we spend a lot of time waiting. From waiting in line somewhere, to waiting for that new job we biblical have been hoping for. We wait! And while we generally don’t enjoy the wait; for those of us who live by our faith, we often are told that God has blessing through waiting. “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” Lamentations 3:25. So the good Lord offers numerous promises of blessings in Scripture for those who “wait,” yet we still struggle with those untimely pauses in life.
So why is waiting such an inconvenience to us? I am reminded of the numerous stories from Scripture where waiting seemed to be a whole lot more stressful than what you and I go through theses days. For example:
- God’s chosen people had to wait 40 years…
- Abraham had to wait 25 years…
- Joseph had to wait 13 years…
- Elijah had to wait 3 and ½ years…
To just name a few. What seems interesting is that in the fullness of each of these biblical situations, they appear to be waiting for God’s purpose. Humm… So, God has allowed us to wait before we can fully come together again as a church family. Maybe the good Lord is waiting for you and me to see His purpose, His plan, His revelation!
So perhaps the wait is over. For some, yes, for others, maybe, and still for others, no. For me, my prayer is; Lord, give me the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the heart to know…. Your purpose for the wait!
Grace and Peace,
Scott